Lyssa Thorne's
Science Fiction Novels
Double Dragon Ebooks
“GELSTONE”
EPISODE 2 – SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITIES
BY:LYSSA THORNE
FADE IN:
INT. SPACE STATION
The next day, Marc entered the crowded, loud briefing room wishing he could regain the happy mood he had come with. Instead, he silently moved to his chair clutching a piece of paper. As he sat down, Malia walked over to him.
MALIA
Did you manage to settle down good last night after our ordeal yesterday?
MARC
I managed fine, although the long day hit me after I got home.
MALIA
It did me, too.
Malia walked back to her seat.
MARC
So, where were you in the locker room this morning?
JIM
I signed out a fresh uniform last night and took it home with me so I wore it up here under a pair of sweats.
Jim's eyebrows knitted until he glanced at the paper clutched tightly in his hand.
ZENNER
He just didn't want to be social!
JIM
And smell your dirty socks, George? I had something to do before work that would've made me late. What's wrong?
MARC
It's nothing.
A large patrolman sneered as he towered over Marc's desk.
NELSON
Go ahead and tell him about it, Sandworm! That is, if you can read.
Jim took the paper from Marc's hand and straightened it out. It read: Go Home, Sandworm.
JIM
This is the lowest you've ever gone, Nelson!
NELSON
Look who's talking, alien-lover!
MARC
I found it taped to my locker this morning.
NELSON
You get this straight, BEM, we don't want aliens on our patrol.
Nelson sat down in his chair just as Patterson entered and called everyone to attention to begin the briefing.
PATTERSON
Okay, there's been some reports of suspicious activities, possibly smuggling. We don't know what they're smuggling or where they're coming from, but sensor buoys have detected unmarked unaffiliated independent freighters entering the inner arm of the asteroid belt in sectors Alpha 3 through Alpha 6. Now, I know that's a wide area so we have no fix of where they're going in the belt. Jupiter sensor stations don't show them coming out the other end so they definitely stop inside. Watch them closely so we can get some idea of where their base of operations are. There are several abandoned mining complexes on quite a few planetoids in that area they could be working from.
(BEAT)
Yesterday, Sierra-mike 20 apprehended the Mars suspects, but in that pursuit, the suspects disabled a bus. Sierra-lima 14 successfully rescued the passengers and crew, then pulled the bus out of Mars gravity and parked it at the Mars space station. I'd say for Jr. Lt. Daniels's first day on the job, he performed admirably. Let's congratulate Daniels on a good first day.
Some gave lukewarm responses and a few patrolmen stood up and left. Nelson was among them.
Marc tried hard not to show his hurt, but he was heartened when he saw that Jim was clapping and Malia was giving him a warm smile.
PATTERSON
That's it. I want to see Nelson and Hassid afterward, so whoever runs into them, tell them, please. Get going and use caution especially concerning those freighters. We don't know how they're going to react if they start getting nervous and I want more information about them before we try to close in on them.
INT. PATTERSON'S OFFICE
Once Patterson was in his office he gave an explosive sigh just as his door chimed. Nelson swaggered into the office with his dark skinned partner Hassid.
NELSON
You wanted us, Commander?
PATTERSON
I want to talk to both of you.
Patterson dropped into his chair.
PATTERSON (CONT.)
I want to make this clear to you, lay off Daniels. I don’t like when my patrollers won’t give their appreciation for a good job.
NELSON
They should have stayed administrative. I don’t like this new program or a blue BEM walking around in patrol colors.
PATTERSON
Can you do the maneuvering Daniels did yesterday? I know I can’t back up a cruiser with a space bus in tow and get it into a docking pylon on the first try.
NELSON
So he can do some fancy flying!
HASSID
Come on, Vince.
NELSON
Back off, Jalil!
Patterson got into Nelson's face.
PATTERSON
No, you back off, Nelson! If I hear about you giving Daniels a hard time, I'll take disciplinary action!
NELSON
Yes, sir.
PATTERSON
Dismissed.
Patterson sat down as Nelson and Hassid walked out the door.
PATTERSON
Pretty damned petty!
INT. ASSIGNMENT BOARD
Marc and Jim stood up and went out into the hallway. Jim went up to the assignment list and scanned it for their number.
JIM
Oh, we've got sector Alpha 5! About all we have is a few mining colonies in the fringe of the asteroid belt. The rest is a deep-space entry corridor.
MARC
What's wrong with that?
JIM
We'll have to hear the terraformers and miners on the planetoids gripe. Why can't you take those lasers of yours and blow up some more of the smaller asteroids? Those stray things hit my atmosphere domes and damages them. Do you know how much it costs me a year for repairs, etc., etc. It'll drive you crazy.
MARC
I'll take your word for it.
JIM
Marc, don't take Nelson so seriously. It's not the first time that man's attitude's gotten him in trouble.
George strode up to them with Pete close behind.
GEORGE
Have fun!
Pete pulled himself through the crowd and looked at the board.
PETE
Swallow it, George. We've got Echo 4.
GEORGE
Oh, supernova!
JIM
Now who's going to have fun? This is George Zenner and Pete Andrews, Marc.
MARC
I've heard a lot about you two. Jim tells me you're quite a pair.
GEORGE
Oh, yeah? What's he been telling you?
JIM
Wouldn't you like to know?
GEORGE
I hope a terraformer bugs you till he drives your mind into orbit!
PETE
Come on, you ungrateful wretch.
Pete grabbed George's arm and pulled him off.
MARC
Why is sector Echo 4 so bad?
JIM
That's patrolling Earth's south pole. Very few ships go through the south pole. It's incredibly boring.
MARC
Then why isn't it just covered by sensor buoys?
JIM
Because most ships who go through there don't want to be seen going in because they're usually running contraband so it's commonly called the contraband control sector. We'll get our turn.
MARC
Ugh!
Marc and Jim slipped on their helmets, walked into their cruiser and did pre-launch checks.
JIM
Sierra-lima 14, ready for takeoff, over.
BASE (V.O.)
Roger, Sierra-lima 14, you are cleared for takeoff, over.
JIM
Wilco, Sierra-lima 14, out.
Marc raised the cruiser off the deck and gunned it out of the docking hatch.
JIM
Do you know no one likes Nelson, including his partner Hassid?
MARC
It's not the first time I've met people like Nelson.
Jim frown deeply as if personally ashamed of his fellow human.
MARC
It's okay, Jim. Don't apologize for people like him. I know that not all people are like him. It just makes me angry to meet one.
JIM
I wish there weren't people like Nelson.
MARC
I do, too, but there are many out there and because I'm a half-breed I meet them constantly.
JIM
Just don't try getting him back by doing something stupid.
(whispered)
Not like I did.
MARC
Oh?
JIM
Oh what?
MARC
What did you do?
Jim blushed.
MARC
Oh, sorry, you hadn't meant for me to hear that. I forget that I have better hearing than full humans. Forget I said that.
JIM
No, just call me duly warned in the future, but, well, when I was a rookie there was this guy who was always playing jokes on me. I got tired of it one day and decided to get him back. I took a whole box of those fluorescent glow sticks and drained the inner liquid into a bucket I rigged inside the door of the shower room. I put a weight below the lip of the bucket and held the bucket fast with a trip wire. The joker was supposed to walk in for a shower, trip the wire and the fluorescent green goo was supposed to fall on his head. Simple, right?
MARC
Right.
JIM
Wrong. The commander tripped it instead. He was fluorescent green for two days. If it hadn't been for my partner Wathers covering for me, I would've been in deep trouble and quite possibly court marshaled.
MARC
That must have been awfully embarrassing!
JIM
It was.
MARC
Don't worry about me, I'm already over it.
JIM
Good.
MARC
That was a great story to cheer me up, though.
JIM
Glad I could help. It's better than getting whiplash.
Marc looked puzzled, then, chuckled when he realized he had launched the cruiser a little too quickly.
MARC
Sorry.
Marc settled down into watching the surrounding space.
MARC
Hey, lucky us! Unmarked freighter over there coming in at 3 o'clock. Sierra-lima 14 to Base.
BASE (V.O.)
This is Base, Sierra-lima 14, go ahead, over.
MARC
I want a check on an unmarked freighter- ID Zulu Mike Two Eight Zero Five, over.
BASE (V.O.)
Wait, out.
(beat)
Sierra-lima 14, freighter based on Zeta Minor 4, owned by Selton Niles. No criminal record, over.
MARC
Roger, Base. Sierra-lima 14, out. Well, no good on that.
JIM
Like to stargaze?
MARC
Why?
JIM
Cause the scope registers three ships in this whole area.
MARC
I'm so excited.
Marc glanced at the chronometer. He stood up and stretched.
MARC
Time for lunch. Want me to get yours?
JIM
Yeah, thanks.
Marc walked to the back of the ship and pressed a button on the rear panel in the central section. A panel opened, revealing a small refrigerator. He took out two bags. The door closed after him. He went back up front and handed one of the bags to Jim.
Marc slipped back into his chair and pushed his face-plate up into his helmet. Jim pushed his face plate up.
MARC
What did you bring?
JIM
Some leftover pot roast Malia made for us at her place the night before you came.
MARC
Oh, you're lucky you have Malia. I've got a peanut butter and jelly sandwich.
JIM
You're a perfect bachelor, Marc!
Marc snorted and rolled his eyes at Jim, caught a passing glance at the scope and dropped his sandwich. Before it hit his lap, his hands were moving furiously over his control board. The ship lurched into a tight roll with a view of the belly of a freighter dizzily close to their ship.
JIM
Hey!
MARC
That guy nearly had us space-scrap!
Jim set down his lunch and replaced his face-plate.
JIM
Marc, that's unmarked!
MARC
Call it in. I'm pursuing.
JIM
Pull your face-plate down. Sierra-lima 14 to Base, we have a freighter that nearly collided with us. ID November Echo Three Zero Two Eight Zero, over.
BASE (V.O.)
Sierra-lima 14, the freighter is based on Aquila. Pilot is Karl Kelson, wanted for three counts of smuggling. He is an expert pilot and is armed and dangerous, over.
Jim reached over and lowered Marc's face-plate.
JIM
Roger, Base. Sierra-lima 14 requests back-up. We're in pursuit, over.
BASE (V.O.)
Roger, Sierra-lima 14. Base, out.
JIM
November Echo Three Zero Two Eight Zero, please slow your vessel and prepare for boarding.
KELSON
Catch me first, cop!
The freighter accelerated.
MARC
Now he's in for it!
Marc followed the freighter through a very skilled maneuver.
He headed for a tourist bus and veered off in time to miss it.
Marc did the same.
JIM
Marc!
MARC
Hold on!
JIM
Hell itself couldn't make me let go! Slow down! Let back-up get here.
MARC
But he's got hyperdrive and we don't!
Marc noticed the freighter was flying straight and gunned the cruiser into top speed. The view port showed the underbelly of the freighter from all edges of the screen.
MARC
Your mistake, pilot. Never, ever take your eyes off the scanners.
The little ship shot out from under the big freighter.
MARC
Scramble him and catch him in the tractor beam, Jim!
Meyers' engaged the electronic disrupter. The sensor board showed a red cone of energy stretch from the small blip to the larger blip.
JIM
We're locked on and secure.
Marc turned the ship around to return to the Lunar base. Marc flew the cruiser home with the freighter towed by tractor beam. Jim groaned, looking a little pale.
JIM
What a thing to do during lunch.
MARC
He made me drop my sandwich! I've got peanut butter and jelly slopped on my lap. You know the Quartermaster's going to be mad when he sees this mess!
JIM
Yeah, but they're use to uniforms getting messed up, Marc. They may grumble about it, but they don't give official reprimands for a dropped peanut butter and jelly sandwich. However, one is given if you impact the ship on the belly of a freighter like you almost did.
MARC
Wasn't even close.
JIM
Yeah, right, tell my stomach about that.
MARC
Latrine's at the back of the ship, sir. We're all out of our complimentary throw-up bags.
JIM
Funny.
INT. EARTH-MARS SPACE STATION
Marc and Jim rushed out of the cruiser to the freighter’s hatch with their laser pistols trained at the door joined by other policemen and women from the precinct.
JIM
P.A. on. Step out of the freighter with your hands up.
Jim’s voice echoed through the flight deck.
The hatch swept open and the ramp lowered. The shape of a man peeked around the bulkhead and leveled his laser pistol. He squeezed the trigger, but nothing happened.
JIM
Your ship's been scrambled. Your equipment won’t work so you better surrender.
KELSON
Shit!
Kelson threw the laser to the flight deck. Marc followed Jim through the hatch, then whirled to the right with his pistol ready to fire, but no one was there.
JIM
He’s hid himself!
MARC
I hear deck plate echoes coming from the left corridor.
JIM
Let's go.
Jim led them down the dark corridor lit by red emergency lights. Marc walked against the opposite wall from Jim. His Brocana eyes caused slightly impaired night vision. He approached a patch of deeper darkness cautiously and peeked around a corner in the corridor. His hands burned from a quick hard strike and the pistol flew from them.
MARC
Sh'kukte!
Marc rushed toward a moving shadow and launched himself into the air. He hit flesh and landed on the deck on top of the man. Marc groped for a hand hold on the man’s clothing as Jim and the others jumped over him and wrestled the man back down to the deck. The man squirmed as Jim locked the handcuffs around his wrists at the small of his back. Jim hauled the man to his feet.
JIM
You all right?
Marc shook his hands to ease the pain.
MARC
Yeah, but my hands are still stinging. Anybody see my pistol?
PATROLMAN
Right here, lieutenant.
A colleague pressed it into Marc’s hands.
MARC
Thanks.
Marc returned it to its holster and snapped the harness around the butt. They walked down the ramp again back into the strong artificial light of the flight deck.
END ACT 1
ACT 2
INT. EARTH-MARS SPACE STATION
They went to the lounge until they were cleared to return to the field. Marc stood at the glass window that looked out at the hall.
JIM
What's wrong, Marc? Why are you fidgeting? I'm sorry about what I said back there. You did do a daring move, but you got a guy with a hot record.
MARC
I don't like this waiting. What if this leaks out and a big thing is made of it?
JIM
It happens. I wouldn't worry about it. They don't suspend badges because of a little publicity.
Trevor walked out of the administration area down the hall to the Precinct Captain’s office. Marc shrank back from the window.
MARC
No!
JIM
What?
MARC
Not the AIB!
JIM
AIB?
MARC
I saw Mr. Trevor from the Alien Integration Bureau go in the captain's office! Remember, I'm not a usual case, I'm an alien in a trial program.
JIM
I don't see what they've got to do with it. Lot's of rookies do things that're frowned on as being a bit too dangerous. Most captains put it down as inexperience.
MARC
Yeah, but that's for normal rookies! They don't have the Alien Integration Bureau hanging over their heads telling them if they mess up and cause a fuss, they'll pull them out and discontinue the program!
JIM
They told you that? Those son of a-
MARC
See, I'm not just another rookie.
INTERCOM (V.O.)
Lt. Daniels, report to Cpt. Wanhochi's office.
He stepped out of the lounge, took a deep shuddering breath and knocked on the captain's door. A speaker beside the door activated.
WANHOCHI (V.O.)
Enter.
He moved through the parting doors and saluted a man of Asian descent who wore the ISP’s blue dress uniform.
WANHOCHI
Please have a seat, Lieutenant.
MARC
Yes, sir, Cpt. Wanhochi.
He sat on the chair in front of the big desk.
WANHOCHI
This is Mr. Trevor from the Alien Integration Bureau.
MARC
I know him.
WANHOCHI
I want to talk to you about what just happened.
MARC
What's wrong with what I did?
TREVOR
What you did was an over zealous uncalculated move that was dangerous and foolhardy!
Marc flinched at the closeness of the man.
TREVOR
If you're going to be the kind of candidates we're going to get in this new program, we need to discontinue it! We can't afford to risk department funds on aliens who have no respect for the tools they're entrusted with!
MARC
He nearly collided with me! I ruined my uniform because I had to drop my lunch in my lap to get out of his way!
TREVOR
That was no excuse to be a hotdog pilot to arrest him just because you ruined your uniform! You may have ruined the whole program!
WANHOCHI
Bullshit! Jr. Lt. Daniels didn't do anything more than any inexperienced rookie would've done in the same position. I have a few seasoned pilots who might have done it too. You're being unnecessarily judgmental about his judgment of the situation.
TREVOR
It seems to me, Captain, you don't fully understand what I'm saying!
WANHOCHI
You're right, I understand more about what you're saying. My people were once in the position young Daniels is in. 'Gooks' or 'BEMs,' it still makes no difference. You can pull your bureau out, Mr. Trevor, but I won't pull Jr. Lt. Daniels's patrol status because you bureaucrats are getting cold feet.
TREVOR
Patrol status? I mean to have his badge!
WANHOCHI
Jr. Lt. Daniels is an official graduate of the Police Academy and has every right to make or break a patrol career in the ISP. I'll tell you when there's cause for concern. Good day, sir.
Trevor gave Marc a venomous glare as he was going out the door.
WANHOCHI
I don’t like that man any more than you do, Mr. Daniels. It's just that, well, that stunt was a little too risky.
MARC
I wasn't close to him, sir. It was the best option I had.
WANHOCHI
Just how close did you get to the freighter?
MARC
Well, about 20 kilometers.
WANHOCHI
Tell me what happened.
MARC
We were just beginning to eat our lunch while we were cruising along, when I spied on the scope that a freighter was on a collision course for us. I dropped my sandwich, ducked out of it's way and told Tech Officer Meyers to call for a file check as I followed the ship. Dispatch told us he had a record as a smuggler so we called for backup and then called for the pilot to slow for attachment. He took off like a senufo being hunted!
WANHOCHI
A what? Never mind, continue.
MARC
The guy tried to shake me with some fancy maneuvers I matched. He even tried crashing me into a tour bus! He took his eyes off the cruiser for a minute as I was pulling away from the bus so I gunned my ship into top speed and slipped under the freighter's belly. Just as I cleared it and was pulling up again, I had Tech. Officer Meyers turn on the scrambler and the tractor beam and we snagged him.
WANHOCHI
You're a good space-plane pilot. I was very impressed with you when you entered the Mars competition two years ago for the Academy, but you're not flying a space-plane on an obstacle course out there. You were lucky he didn't move that instant too while you were tickling his belly, young man. Do you realize if he had, you would've collided with that freighter and, as small as those cruisers are, he would've had some damage, but you would've been atomized?!
MARC
Yeah, I know. But if I'd given him enough time, he could have hopped into hyperdrive and we would've lost him, sir. I felt I had to act right then or let him go.
WANHOCHI
What you did was too risky, but Rookies do those things all the time. The real promising ones survive, which is what I expect you'll do. You're a very promising rookie, young man, but rookies make mistakes.
Marc studied the brown and red spots from his lunch on his lap.
MARC
But I'm an alien.
WANHOCHI
Mr. Daniels, why did you get into the Police Academy?
MARC
Because my father used political influence to get me accepted when-
WANHOCHI
No, I don't mean that. Why did you want to get into the Academy?
MARC
Well, because I've always wanted to be a policeman.
WANHOCHI
That's what I wanted to hear. No matter what some Alien Integration Bureau says, you belong here and I intend to give you the same chance I give any rookie. Now, you go out there and learn to be a policeman, son.
He sprang out of his chair and saluted.
MARC
Yes, sir! Sir, while I was helping Jim and the others apprehend Kelson, I noticed in that ship with only the emergency lights on that I had trouble focusing my eyes. You see, Brocana eyes are developed to see in the extreme glare of Alpha Centauri 7. Can I have retractable infrared night-sight lenses installed into my helmet to help me see?
WANHOCHI
I’ll make up orders to have your helmet modified after your shift's finished.
MARC
Thank you, sir!
He walked back into the lounge.
JIM
What happened, Marc?
MARC
Just a reminder of what happens to a kid when he goes a little batty and makes a stupid move.
JIM
He did kick you out? I'm going to-
MARC
Don't bother.
JIM
Why? Isn't this what you always wanted?
MARC
Yeah, but he didn't kick me out!
Jim broke out laughing.
Marc clicked his tongue and looked ceiling-ward.
MARC
Now, did they search the freighter?
Jim nodded yes and wiped his eyes. He waved for Marc to follow.
Jim led Marc to the freighter on the flight deck and hit the outside hatch control button. When the ramp lowered, he went through the corridors into the cargo hold and pulled up a part of the floor to open a large secret cargo hold.
JIM
Voila!
Marc took a second for his eyes to adjust on tall wooden crates packed close together. Some were open and irregular shaped ruby red stones glistened in the half light.
MARC
Alpha Centauri 7 gelstones! It takes week of mining in the Keldor mountains to find the amount he's got here!
JIM
Uh-huh, and what does Mr. Kelson do for a living?
MARC
Smuggles, but why would a freighter pilot registered at Aquila have Centaurian gelstones?
JIM
Their port of registry has nothing to do with what they run.
The two men left the ship.
JIM
There's enough there to shape refracting crystals for a whole army's lasers! Just in there, alone, is all the evidence they need to send him to Pluto for about fifteen years!
MARC
You're kidding!
JIM
No, I'm not! He's wanted in eight sectors and, secondly, we may have just gotten a breakthrough on the suspicious activities in the asteroid belt Commander Patterson was briefing us about this morning. You may have cracked this case wide open.
MARC
This could cause more trouble with the Alien Integration Bureau!
JIM
Hey, Cap didn't kick you out and I'm sure he already knew about the cargo.
MARC
But he'll be pressured to let me go.
JIM
Cpt. Wanhochi's a fair man. He doesn't cave in to pressure, Marc. He'll be your best defender as long as he thinks you're worth fighting for and if he stuck up for you this time, he sure does think you're worth it, so you better make the best of it.
MARC
You're right. Let's get back to work.
JIM
Now, that's a lot better, but Patterson told me while you were in Wanhochi's office that we have permission to stay here and eat our disturbed lunch.
MARC
We never did eat, did we?
JIM
Yours is all over you and my stomach was too upset to eat mine.
MARC
Yeah, rag me for saving your skin. Let me go change into a fresh uniform and then maybe your delicate stomach will be stable enough to try again.
JIM
Only if my surroundings are!
Jim led Marc to the lower level Quartermaster.
The Quartermaster humphed in dismay at the sight of the brown and red splotches on Marc's pant legs.
QUARTERMASTER
Quartermaster number.
MARC
Twenty-two fifty-eight.
The man disappeared into the back.
MARC
See?
JIM
Well, he is allowed to be snappish! But that's about all he can do to you for such a minor incident.
The man came back with a blue bundle and an electronic clipboard.
QUARTERMASTER
Sign this.
Marc signed his name in the black rectangle above the keypad and returned it to the man.
QUARTERMASTER
Don't forget to put the one you're wearing now into the laundry shoot in the locker room.
MARC
I won't forget.
Marc picked up the bundle. They returned to the main floor and went to the locker room. Marc began to undress.
MARC
Why do we have to take everything off to change?
Marc laid his gloves, pistol belt and badge on the bench and sat down to pull off his boots.
JIM
Because too many seams and closures could weaken the integrity of these limited exposure space suits.
MARC
Yeah.
Marc pulled the stretchy suit off.
JIM
What’s that tattoo on your arm?
MARC
It’s a clan symbol.
JIM
It looks like some kind of animal.
MARC
It’s a sheep-like animal called a klevie. The Brocana raise them for wool and food.
Marc removed the protective plastic on the new jumpsuit.
JIM
Hand me your old uniform and I'll put it down the shoot.
Marc handed the soiled jumpsuit to Jim. Marc finished dressing.
JIM
Are you ready?
MARC
Yeah.
JIM
Let's go back to the place we went to yesterday.
MARC
Good enough.
They passed into the main section of the space station. Candice Long rushed toward them. Jim jumped out in front of Marc and headed Long off.
JIM
No interviews. The information is classified and we're under a schedule. Bye.
Jim grabbed Marc's arm and pulled him further into the space station milling with people. One woman caught her purse on Marc's helmet. She jerked it loose and stomped off.
MARC
What did I do?
JIM
You were there. Got your gun secured?
MARC
Of course.
JIM
With a crowd like this, you never know what can happen.
MARC
Yeah.
JIM
Relax. As long as it's strapped in, the taker would have to be desperate to try it.
They entered the restaurant sat down and studied the menu. Marc peeked around the plastic booklet.
MARC
Jim, eleven o'clock, table two away from us, the auburn woman with curly hair, she's looking at me.
JIM
You wish! Hm, she does look nice. She's also BST.
MARC
How do you know she’s with the Bureau of Space Transportation?
JIM
The uniform- probably a traffic controller.
MARC
Oh, what's wrong with that?
JIM
Nothing. They just have screwy schedules.
MARC
Not like you and Petty Officer Malia Konane?
JIM
Direct hit.
MARC
There she goes again, Jim, she's looking at me!
JIM
So, go introduce yourself.
MARC
I can't.
JIM
Shy with women?
MARC
No.
JIM
Then buck-up and try it, Lieutenant.
MARC
See ya!
Marc bounced from his chair and closed in on the target.
JIM
Kids.
Marc bent over the woman from the Bureau of Space Transportation.
MARC
Hello, I'm Marc, Marc Daniels.
AMBER
Hello, Jr. Lt. Marc Daniels.
MARC
I saw you looking toward me.
AMBER
Don't worry. I'm Amber Castillas and I was looking at you. Nice hair.
MARC
Uh, thanks, Amber. May I buy you lunch?
AMBER
I've already ordered. Your partner?
She bobbed her head toward Jim receiving his order.
MARC
Yeah, he is.
AMBER
You're missing your lunch break. Go ahead and order.
He sat down and ordered.
MARC
So, I see by your uniform you're BST.
AMBER
And you're ISP.
She accepted her lunch from the waiter.
MARC
I'm not doing this well.
AMBER
You're not doing too bad. You're eyes are strikingly beautiful.
Marc blushed.
AMBER
Where are you from, Marc?
MARC
Alpha Centauri.
AMBER
That explains the blue skin tone.
MARC
You know about Alpha Centauri?
AMBER
My job as a flight coordinator brings me in contact with many different people from all over the Alliance but, your eyes, I've never seen that on any other Centaurian before.
MARC
That's because you've never seen a Centaurian Brocana before and you probably won't see one in your office. They're xenophobes.
AMBER
And you?
MARC
I'm only half-Brocana.
AMBER
A native race?
MARC
Yeah, from Alpha Centauri 7.
AMBER
How interesting. I'd like to know more about your race, but now here comes your food and your partner is checking his watch.
MARC
He is because we're running out of time. Can I see you again?
AMBER
Do you have a piece of paper?
Marc flipped open a pouch on his hip, pulled out a small electronic memo pad and handed it to her. She scribbled on the screen with the stylus, entered it, then gave it back to him.
AMBER
Here's my number. Contact me sometime.
Marc replaced the pad, slipped his credit card into the slot in the table, picked up his tray and returned to Meyers' table.
JIM
How did it go?
MARC
I got her vid-phone number!
JIM
Well, that's a start!
MARC
Her name's Amber Castillas and she's a flight coordinator.
JIM
You need to eat, partner, we need to be out on the beat in twenty minutes.
Marc ate quickly and they were back in their cruiser just in time.
END ACT 2
ACT 3
INT. EARTH-MARS SPACE STATION LOCKER ROOM
As they walked into the locker room, Jim noticed that Marc was fingering something in his left hip pouch.
JIM
Can't wait to get home and call that girl you met?
Marc blushed.
JIM
Well, good luck with her.
They opened their lockers and began to take off their uniforms.
MARC
Why can't we wear our uniforms on the shuttles, Jim?
JIM
Security reasons. We don't want to be obvious in case of a hijacking or a robbery.
MARC
But if we were in uniform and a robbery happened-
JIM
We'd be the first to be shot.
MARC
Oh, I didn't think about that.
JIM
That's why we either leave it here, wear it home concealed under street clothes or take it in a bag.
George walked up to them with Pete close behind.
GEORGE
Hey, hey, hey! Your big collar's on everyone's lips tonight, Jimmy!
PETE
Did he give you a lot of trouble?
JIM
Oh, a little bit, but Lt. Daniels was up to the challenge. He's a fine pilot.
Marc glanced over at Jim with a flattered look and began to pull on his civilian clothes.
GEORGE
Better than me?
Pete and Jim gave each other knowing looks and grinned.
MARC
I'm good enough.
PETE
Well, we need to change. Come on, George.
George followed Pete toward their lockers.
MARC
And I want to call that girl.
JIM
I really meant what I just said, Marc.
MARC
Thanks, I really appreciated that.
JIM
Yeah, see you tomorrow.
Marc took his helmet to be turned in for modification before he left for the shuttle to go home.
INT. TUSCON, ARIZONA – MARC'S HOUSE
Shortly after he arrived home, he pulled out the pad and called the vid-phone number and the same woman answered.
MARC
Hi.
AMBER
Hello, you didn't waste any time.
He blushed.
AMBER
I like how you blush. Are you shy, Marc?
MARC
I guess I am, at least right now.
AMBER
It's touching. I usually meet the aggressive sort.
MARC
Well, I'm not usually the timid type.
AMBER
I guess you wouldn't, being a commissioned officer of the ISP.
MARC
I called because I wanted to ask you if you'd go out with me this Friday?
AMBER
Sure, I'd like that. This is my address; 2580 Palomino Drive, Houston, Texas. See you at 7?
MARC
I can do that. Friday at 7.
AMBER
Good-bye!
MARC
Bye.
The screen went dark.
MARC
Yaakeekee!
He went the rest of the evening quite pleased with himself.
INT. EARTH-MARS SPACE STATION – LOCKER ROOM
Next morning, when Marc entered the locker room, he was in a very happy mood until he arrived at his locker. Taped to it was a dead worm hanging from a string. He took it off and threw it in the trash.
He quietly returned to his locker and punched in the combination on the lock pad. His fingers came away feeling slimy. He went into the latrine, wet a paper towel, then returned to his locker to clean the key pad and his fingers. He sat down on the long bench and began to dress.
JIM
Good morning.
He looked up from his dressing. Jim walked behind him and straddled the wooden bench.
JIM
What's up? You just hit the ceiling.
MARC
Nothing. Just silly pranks.
JIM
Like what?
MARC
No big deal.
JIM
Nelson again?
MARC
Just drop it!
Jim cringed.
MARC
Sorry.
JIM
No, I'm sorry. If you think it's no big deal, then I should allow it. I shouldn't have pried.
MARC
It's just that, things like this happen everywhere I go. After a while, if I don't make a big thing of it, they stop trying.
JIM
But it doesn't stop hurting you.
MARC
No, but I can't change what I am. I can try to change what they think of me by just being me and doing my job.
JIM
I guess that's the best way to deal with it. I'm new to all of this.
MARC
I know. Stick by me and I'll show you the ropes.
Jim chuckled.
Shortly after, they finished dressing and went to sign out their laser weapons.
HARRIS
Morning, boys!
JIM
Morning, Harris. Two Zero nine.
MARC
Two eighty-five.
HARRIS
Need power packs?
JIM
Nope, just pistols.
HARRIS
Don't keep your spares too long. It'd be disastrous if you need it under heat and you find it's lost it's charge sitting too long in your pouch.
JIM
We won't, Harris.
HARRIS
Not that I care for your butts, boys, but I'm sure you do!
JIM
You're a real bleeding heart!
They secured their guns and moved off to the briefing room.
A man trotted up to them with a helmet in his hands.
TECHNICIAN
Are you Lt. Daniels?
MARC
I am.
TECHNICIAN
Here’s your modified helmet.
The man handed over the helmet.
TECHNICIAN
I added a lever above your face plate lever to lower the night sight. When you don’t need the night sight, you just raise the lever again. You can’t use the night sight with your face plate up.
MARC
Thanks.
JIM
Night sight?
MARC
I can’t see well in the dark because my eyes are made to filter out the glare from twin suns. That’s why Kelson was able to knock my pistol out of my hands so I asked Cpt. Wanhochi if my helmet could be modified with infrared sight.
JIM
Oh, good idea.
The reaction as they entered the briefing room were mixed with some giving the partners the thumbs-up while others glared with open animosity.
JIM
How do you take this?
MARC
As cool as possible.
Marc nodded and smiled at a man who patted him on the back. They arrived at their seats and sat down. Time stretched on and more patrolmen were outwardly asking each other where Patterson was.
TO Lowers entered and went to the podium.
LOWERS
Cdr. Patterson had to leave due to an unexpected situation at home. Yesterday we had an impressive arrest by the rookie Jr. Lt. Daniels and TO Meyers. What we found inside the freighter was real disturbing, it was 2 kilotons of Centaurian Gelstones.
That announcement caused a few people in the room to gasp.
LOWERS (CONT.)
Yeah, I don't like it either. Hopefully, this tells us what the suspected smugglers are transporting into the asteroid belt. If we're on their trail, they know it, so it may get more dangerous in sectors Alpha 3 through Alpha 6. I'm hoping Cdr. Patterson will be coming back soon, but if he doesn't, we won't be doing our rounds today. Remember that.
(BEAT)
Now, next month the Mars station's going to be hosting the Sol Intergalactic Precision Space Plane Competition and, as usual, we'll be called on the help Mars Division do traffic control from Earth to the competition area. The next few weeks we'll be designing and assigning duties in preparation so the next few weeks will be quite busy. Be prepared and make ready your speeches to your respective spouses, girlfriends and boyfriends to explain your crazy schedules.
Everyone in the room chuckled.
LOWERS
That's it. Watch for those freighters again, but be careful and don't get cocky. Call for back-up and try to avoid risky flying.
Lowers glanced straight at Marc and then he stepped down.
JIM
Oh no, that again?
MARC
What?
JIM
That Precision Space Plane Competition gets real crazy when you're directing traffic.
MARC
Not if you're a contestant.
JIM
What?
MARC
Two years ago I qualified in fifth place. Last year, I couldn't compete because it came during a crucial phase in one of my courses. I'm hoping Cpt. Wanhochi will give me permission to enter into it this year.
JIM
How long have you been competing, Marc?
MARC
Since I was eighteen. Father accepted my sport with not much complaint, but my mother almost fainted and refused to watch me compete. She still won't. Dad financed my first space plane when I was sixteen and by eighteen I was good enough to enter as an amateur.
JIM
God, that was nice of him!
MARC
It sounds like you don't approve?
JIM
It's not a case of approval, Marc, just surprising. I'm from a family that couldn't afford a new hover car much less a space plane.
MARC
Well, that is my only rich kid habit.
JIM
No wonder you're such a fancy flier! But don't forget that our cruiser's a lot bigger than a space plane.
MARC
I'm quite capable of remembering that!
JIM
Woah, I'm sorry, Marc.
Marc stood and fumed for a minute then strode out of the door.
JIM
Good work, Jim. Piss the kid off first thing in the morning.
Then he followed Marc and caught up at the assignment screen.
MARC
We have sector Charlie 3.
JIM
Okay, what's our back-up?
MARC
Sierra-lima 2, 7, 25, 29, and 32.
JIM
Good. Let's go.
They arrived at the space cruiser and boarded.
JIM
Hey, Marc, I'm sorry for what I said back there.
MARC
I can compensate for the difference of any craft! Just because I began piloting in a low-powered space plane doesn't mean I can't pilot this cruiser with the same precision!
Marc jammed his helmet on.
JIM
Yeah, I just seem to like the taste of my foot in my mouth. It really doesn't matter how you learned to pilot, especially when you did graduate from the academy. Besides, what you do in your spare time's none of my business.
MARC
If the captain gives me permission to enter into the competition, will you come and watch?
JIM
Sure thing. I wouldn't want to miss it.
MARC
Then you're forgiven.
Jim gaped.
MARC
Just get your helmet on and call in for permission to launch while I do the pre-checks.
Jim put his helmet on.
JIM
Sierra-lima 14 ready for takeoff, over.
BASE (V.O.)
Roger, Base. Sierra-lima 14, out.
MARC
Well, here we go.
Marc propelled the ship out of the landing bay.
MARC
So, tell me about our sector.
JIM
Not much to tell. It's a southern approach to Earth that's used by local ships to reach the upper southern hemisphere such as the China or South American regions. It's actually a more active sector near Earth because of the small vehicles that need to be monitored. Farther away from Earth it gets real boring. It's not a deep space approach and no major planets are in that direction. Once in a while we'll see a supply ship going out to the two mining colonies that are located on two planetoids in the lower inner edge of the asteroid belt.
MARC
Real exciting.
JIM
Yeah, but you might get to see some action from some of the locals.
MARC
Like what?
JIM
An engine breakdown, a small collision, daredevils testing their mettle.
MARC
Ah, okay.
They began the day patrolling near Earth, gave out a few citations and slowly moved outward. By lunch-time, they were in quiet space and ate lunch without incident.
Suddenly, the buzz of constant incoming messages turned frantic.
SIERRA-LIMA 7 (V.O.)
This is Sierra-lima 7 in pursuit of an unmarked freighter: I D, Uniform Romeo Eight Zero Niner Zero Seven. He's turning tail! Base, Sierra-lima 7, we're in armed combat! Sector Charlie 3, coordinates, Delta Mike Niner Niner Three Six One Niner. We need back-up!
MARC
Sierra-lima 14, responding, over.
Marc pushed the ship into full throttle.
SIERRA-LIMA 7 (V.O.)
Sierra-lima 7 to Base, we can't take this for too long! Shields are failing! I repeat, shields are failing!
JIM
Sierra-lima 14 to Sierra-lima 7, hold on, we're almost to you, over.
As they approached, they saw the explosion.
MARC
Sierra-lima 14 to Base, Sierra-lima 7 is destroyed!
PATTERSON (V.O.)
Sierra-lima 14, engage in battle!
MARC
Roger!
Marc engaged the cruiser's defenses and moved in.
The freighter swerved away and banked right for a shot.
As it was starting to straighten from the turn, Marc also banked right and pulled out behind the freighter.
Jim fired continuous bursts of laser fire.
The freighter blossomed into an explosion.
Marc pulled up to avoid it.
MARC
Sierra-lima 14 to Base, freighter, destroyed.
PATTERSON (V.O.)
Good work, Lieutenant. Get home.
MARC
Yes, Commander.
Marc headed for base. The trip home was slow and quiet until they made final approach to the space station.
JIM
Sierra-lima 14 to Base, request permission to land, over.
BASE (V.O.)
Sierra-lima 14, you are cleared to land, over.
JIM
Roger, Base. We're coming in, out.
MARC
Why?!
JIM
It's not your fault, Marc. We were too far away from them to get there before their shields failed.
Marc pounded on the edge of his control board.
MARC
I forced Kelson to be taken! I should have let him go!
JIM
You did what you thought was right at the time.
MARC
Oh, like that really eases a man's conscience?
JIM
Nothing but time does that. Just don't be so hard on yourself.
Marc set the cruiser at their parking space and powered down.
MARC
All systems, secure!
He jerked off his helmet. They stood up and left the cruiser.
As they walked down the ramp, a maintenance engineer rushed them.
MOKOLO
Damn you, alien, you killed Arden and Candir!
Marc swung Mokolo around and slammed him into the hull.
MARC
Bwaja jaktok!
Mokolo crumpled to the deck unconscious. Marc pulled back panting and shaking.
MARC
He shouldn't have done that!
JIM
It's all right.
Patterson ran up to the scene.
PATTERSON
What happened here?
Jim took his helmet off.
JIM
Moloko attacked Lt. Daniels, sir.
ENGINEER
Oh, yeah? Lt. Daniels killed Arden and Candir!
PATTERSON
That's enough! Lowers, calm your petty officer. Daniels, Meyers, in my office, now!
They strode to Patterson's office, entered and the door closed.
MARC
I'm sorry.
PATTERSON
You're not in trouble. People are upset and I don't blame them, however neither are you to blame. They need to cool off.
Patterson’s door chimed. He touched a key on his computer keyboard to see through a small camera who was at his door.
PATTERSON
If it’s not urgent, come back later.
TREVOR
It is urgent, Cdr. Patterson. I'm from the Alien Integration Bureau.
MARC
No, no! Not Trevor again!
Patterson muted his microphone.
PATTERSON
I want to talk to this ass!
He turned it on again.
PATTERSON
Come in.
Trevor rushed through the door and glared at Marc.
TREVOR
I told you yesterday if you continued to behave like this, I'd take your badge!
PATTERSON
Shut the hell up for a minute! You’re upsetting my pilot. He’s already been stressed enough.
TREVOR
You were briefed on the program, Cdr. Patterson, you know the conditions!
PATTERSON
Damn it, I authorized Daniels to open fire on that freighter! I won’t let you lynch him for obeying orders!
Marc sat down in a chair in the corner and put his head between his knees. Jim went over and laid his hand on Marc’s back.
JIM
My partner's almost faint from the stress! I’ve been through several partners in my five years as a
patrolman and I see nothing wrong with Marc’s judgment in the field. You’re the one who’s keeping him in a strangle hold. Give the man a damn chance!
TREVOR
I will let this slide for now since the two of you insist Mr. Daniels was following your orders!
Trevor stomped from the room.
JIM
That man’s a goddamn vulture!
PATTERSON
Marc, are you all right?
MARC
Thank you for defending me.
PATTERSON
My son gets into a fight right before school and gets sent home, then I come back up here to one of my units being destroyed.
MARC
I didn't mean to knock out that engineer. He surprised me and I overreacted.
PATTERSON
No apologies, Lieutenant. That engineer's conduct was uncalled for, no matter what the situation, but, like I said, they need to cool off so you two go home for the rest of the day.
JIM
Yes, sir.
PATTERSON
Don't even change, just put on some sweats and go. The more time you take in the locker room, the more chance you'll have of getting confronted again and I don't need any more fights.
JIM
Understood, sir.
Marc and Jim saluted and left the office. As they walked to the locker room, they passed many hard glares and met more inside but, thankfully, no one spoke while they pulled on their physical training suits, turned in their pistols and left for home.
FADE OUT.
THE END.